Wendy Rogers really wants Trump to know she likes giving him money

Wendy Rogers really likes giving the president money.

Last Friday, the infamous state senator posted a video to her social media channels that was something like an infomercial crossed with a fangirl’s plea for attention. Wearing a flight suit and standing in front of a small airplane, Rogers addressed the camera.

“Hi, President Trump,” Rogers said. “This is your favorite state senator from Arizona, Wendy Rogers.”

She then held up a pair of gold sneakers and flashed a sparkly watch on her wrist.

“I just want you to know,” she continued, “I am wearing the Trump watch and sport these gold Trump shoes every chance I get on the floor of the Arizona Legislature.”
It’s not clear if Rogers’ video got Donald Trump’s attention. What is clear is she’s not shy about spending money on products to which Trump licenses his name and that directly fill his pockets.

According to her social media, Rogers purchased two pairs of the gold high-top Trump sneakers the day they were released at SneakerCon in February 2024. They have quickly become a fashion staple for the Flagstaff senator. She posted a photo of when she received them, which included a written message from Trump that accompanied every pair sold. She wore them to the 2024 Republican National Convention and can often be found wearing them around the Arizona Capitol.

“The Never Surrender High-Tops” retail at $399 on the Trump Sneakers website. The company that sells the shoes, 45Footwear, “has nothing to do with any political campaign,” according to its website, although it does sell the “official” sneakers of Trump. 45Footwear licenses the Trump brand from the president’s Flordia-based LLC.

The Trump watch, which appears to be a new purchase for Rogers, is sold under a similar arrangement. TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC, registered in Wyoming, has the same principal office as 45Footear LLC, which sells Trump Sneakers. A CNN investigation also found several other companies registered to the same address, including a seemingly unrelated company selling male enhancement products.

The company’s watch models range from $499 to $100,000, though It’s unclear which one Rogers was sporting in the video. She did not respond to questions from Phoenix New Times about the watch model and about the ethics of promoting a product that financially benefits the president. But based on the video, the watch seems to be one from the customizable “First Lady Custom Trump Watch” collection. These watches retail for $599. Featuring a copy of Trump’s signature or etched image on the back, the company advertises that it accepts Bitcoin and Trump’s own cryptocurrency.

If the watch model is correct, that means Rogers has spent $1,400 on her three pieces of Trump merch. (And that’s besides whatever she’s spent at the Trumped Store owned by Steve Slaton, her notorious friend at the center of a stolen valor accusation.) But if her video persuades others to copy her fashion sense, they may face higher prices. Both companies may be registered in Wyoming, but that doesn’t mean their products were manufactured in the U.S. If they aren’t fully American-made, they’re going to be impacted by Trump’s heavy-handed global tariffs.

As her campy 25-second video wrapped up, Rogers gave a cheery grin and thumbs up to the camera as she reminded her northern Arizona constituents who she’s really looking to represent.

“I’m proud to be working for you,” Rogers said to Trump, “here in Arizona.”